Stenographic machine



Feb '11, 1941-. v. c. DQLD' I 2,231,438

STENOGRAPHIC MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v //V|/E/V TOR W QC DOLD Feb. 11; 1941." v Q BOLD 2,231,438

STENOGRAPHI C MACHINE Filed. Dec. 27, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FBL 1T, 1

v. c. DOLD 2,231,438

STENOGRAPH I C MACHINE Filed Dec. 27,1938

F! 13 l/wr e c. 22040 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 11, 1941 PATENT OFFICE STENOGRAPHIC MACHINE Victor Charles Dold, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, asslgnor to Le Progres Technique, Paris, France,

a corporation of France Application December 2'1, 1938, Serial No. 247,922

In France December 30, 1937 4 Claims.

This invention relates to stenographic machines of the type in which the platen does not partake of longitudinal movement, but is rotated through a small angle upon the completion of each printing operation, so that successively printed letters. symbols or the like, or groups of letters, symbols or the like, occupy successive lines on a web or sheet advanced by rotation of the platen.

One special object of the invention is to provide, in a stenographic machine of the type mentioned, simple, practicable, reliable means whereby successive steps of advance of the platen are effected steadily and quietly and particularly in definite, invariable amounts so that successively printed lines are evenly spaced apart.

Another special object of the invention is to provide, in a machine of the type mentioned, simple, practical, reliable means for effecting step by step rotation of the reels carrying an inking ribbon, so that said ribbon is advanced step by step during operation of the machine, and for automatically reversing the direction of rotation of said reels at predetermined times so that the inking ribbon is wound first onto one and then onto the other of said reels.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will become more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is betterunderstood, the

, same consists in the novel features of construc-' tion, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illus-' trated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

In-the accompanying drawings, wherein like 35 charactersof reference denote corresponding partsin the different views:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a stenographic machine embodying the features of the invention.

40 Fig. 2 is a'longitudinal section on'the line 2 -2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side-elevation of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a detail transverse view showing particularly the gearing for rotating one of the 45 reels carrying the inking ribbon.

Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations of parts of the mechanism for reversing the direction of feed of the inking ribbon.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing the 50 friction clutches at the ends of the platen controlling rotation of the platen; and

Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating the relationship to each other of certain of the hammers carrying the characters to be printed.

65 Referring to the drawings in detail, la, lb

designate a pair of side-plates, which constitute main frame elements of the machine and which are understood to be rigidly connected together in spaced apart relationship by suitable crossmembers. 5

Between the side-plates 1a,. lb is a horizontally disposed platen 2, which extends transversely of the machine and which includes shaft elements 53 projecting beyond its ends and journaied in the side-plates la, lb whereby the platen is 10 mounted for rotation.

In front of the platen 2 is a horizontal" shaft l5, which extends transversely of the machine and is rockably mounted at its ends in the sideplates la, lb and which has rockably mounted 15 thereon in side to side relationship a plurality of hammers 3 and 30 for cooperation with said p1aten'2.

Each hammer 3 and 30 includes an arm 3a. extending upwardly from the shaft l5 and having a rearwardly directed terminal portion 3b provided with a printing character in the form of a letter, group of letters, symbol or the like, an arm 9 extending forwardly from the shaft l5 and an arm l0 extending downwardly from said shaft.

Below and in front of the shaft i5 is a crossbar 6 having therein a series of slots which open through the top thereof and which accommodate intermediate portions of a series of key levers 5, .one related to each hammer 3 and 3c. The key levers 5 are rockably mounted on fulcrums at the bottoms of the slots in the bar 6 and each key lever is operatively connected with the arm 9 of its related hammer 3 or by a rod 1 slidable in an opening in a cross bar 8 mounted at its ends in the sideplates la, lb. Carried by each key lever at its forward end is a key 4 for finger depression to rock the keylever, while associated with the hammers 3 and 3c are individual springs 40 1 II, which tend constantly to rotate said hammers in directions to swing their upwardly extending, printing character carrying arms forwardly with respect to or away from the platen 2. Thus, v whenever any given key lever 5 is rocked by depression of its key 4, the related hammer 3 or 30 is rocked in a direction to cause its printing character to cooperate with the platen 2, and whenever any key lever, after being rocked, is released, the spring ll returns the related hammer l or 30 to its normal position in which its printing character is spaced forwardly of the platen 2. Any suitable stop means may be provided to determine the normal positions of the hammers.

l and 3c, and the springs ll may be of any suit- I able type. As illustrated in the present instance, the springs H are of the leaf type, each being secured at one-end to a rotatably adjustable crossshaft 12 and each bearing at its other or free end against the arm In of its related hammer 3 or 30. Obviously, by rotatably adjusting the shaft I2 the forceexerted by the springs l l on the hammers 3 and 30 may be regulated. On-the shaft I2 is a ratchet wheel l3 with which cooperates a suitable pawl l4 whereby said shaft maybe held in different rotatably adjusted positions.

Fixed, respectively, to opposite end portions of the shaft l5are two levers l6 of inverted L-shape, each including an arm Ilia extending forwardly from said shaft and an arm l8 extending downwardly therefrom. Connecting the arms Ilia of said levers and disposed in overlying relationship to thearms 9 of the hammers 3 and 3c is a plate I! having on its under side a suitable pad Ila for noiseless contact with. said arms 9. Extending upwardly from said levers are arms IS with which cooperate springs 20 which tend constantly to rotate said levers in directions to swing their arms [6a downwardly and their arms I8 rearwardly. Thus, the plate I! normally is urged downwardly with its pad Ila engaged with the arms 9. Accordingly, when any hammer 3 or 30 is rocked by actuation of its related key lever 5, the plate I! is elevated and the arms 18 of the levers 5 are swung rearwardly, while upon return of any rocked hammer 3 or 30 to its normal position the springs 20 serve to return the levers IE to their normal positions.

Disposed at one side of the machine behind one of the levers l6 and below the platen 2 is a sub-' stantially vertically disposed lever 22, which is as in the case of said first mentioned lever 22,

preferably is devoid of such an arm. In any event, whenever the levers I6 are rocked as a result of rocking of any hammer 3 or 3c by actuation of its related key lever 5, the levers 22, 220, are rocked due to their connections with the arms IB of said levers Hi.

In the upper arm of the lever 22 is a slot 24 in which is disposed a pin 26 carried by a lever arm 25 which is rotatably mounted on one of the shaft elements 53 of the platen 2 and which is suitably: held against outward movement along said shaft element relative to the adjacent end of said platen.

Between the lever arm 25 and the adjacent end of the platen 2 is a coil spring 58 which is fastened at one end to said lever arm 25 and which bears frictionally at its other end against arms of the levers I6, 22 and 25 is such that upon actuation of any hammer 3 or 30 the platen 2 is rotated through an angle corresponding to the spacing of successive lines to be printed on a sheet or web 6| which is trained over the platen 2 and I which is advanced step by step with said platen as the latter is intermittently rotated by successive actuations of the hammers 3, 30. It is also pointed out that the spring 58 is wound in a direction such that it does not serve to rotate the platen 2 when any given hammer 3 or 30 is rocked in a character printing direction, but does serve to rotate said platen when any given hammer 3 or 30 returns to its normal position after having effected printing. The spring 58 is wound about a drum 5! fixed with respect to the platen 2 and is covered by a sleeve 59 which may serve as a retainer for a suitable lubricant, such as graphite, for the spring 58.

Between the other end of the platen 2 and the adjacent side plate I is another coil spring 55 which is fixed at its outer end to said side plate and which bears at its inner end against the end i of the platen. This spring 55 is wound oppositely with respect to the spring 58 and serves to hold the platen against retrograde rotation during swinging movement of the lever arm 25 as effected by depression of any key lever 5, yet does not interfere with rotation of said platen in a direction to advance the sheet or web 6|. As in the case of the spring 58, the spring 55 is wound upon a drum 54 fixed with respect to the platen 2 and is covered by a lubricant retaining sleeve 56. The two springs 55, 58 obviously act to hold the platen against rotation except when it is advanced by actuation of the lever arm 25 and. moreover, serve as silent clutch means for effecting step by step advance of said platen.

Rearwardly of the platen 2, a pair of drum shafts 35b, 3512 are rotatably; mounted in the side plates la, lb respectively, and carry, at the outer sides of said side plates, drums 35, 35a respectively, on which are wound the ends of an inking ribbon 60, which is suitably guided along the front of the platen 2 between said platen and the character carrying rearward extensions 3b of the arms 3a of the hammers 3, 30, so that whenever any hammer 3 or 30 is rocked by actuation of its related key lever 5 its character is printed upon the sheet 6| disposed between the ribbon 60 and the platen2.

Fixed on the drum shafts 35b, 351) are gear wheels 34, 34a, respectively, with which cooperate pinions 32, 32a, respectively, carried by arms 21, 21a, respectively, which are disposed substantially horizontally and which extend rearwardly from the levers 22, 22a, respectively, to which they are pivotally connected at their forward ends as indicated at 28 at points below the pivots 23 of said levers 22, 22a.

Each pinion 32, by a suitable pawl and ratchet or similar mechanism, designated generally 1 as 33, is mounted on its related arm 2'! for free rotation relative thereto in one direction and for nonrotation relative thereto in the opposite direction, the said directions of free rotation and non-rotation being such that said pinions rotate freely relative to the gear wheels 34 when either arm 21 is moved forwardly, and are non-rotatable. in the opposite direction so that when either arm'2l is moved rearwardly and its pinion 32 is in mesh with the related gear wheel 34, rotation is imparted to such gear wheel in a direction to impart inking tape winding-on rotation to the related drum 35.

Below the arms 21, 21a are pivoted levers 30, 30, respectively, which carry rollers 29, 29, respectively, engaged with the under sides of said arms 21, 21a, respectively, and which are biased by suitable springs 3|, 3|, respectively, so that the arms 21, 21a constantly are urged upwardly to I mesh their pinions 32 with the gear wheels 34 and yet are capable of being swung downwardly to dispose the pinions 32 suitably below the gear wheels 34 so that they do not cooperate with said gear wheels responsive to forward and rearward movements of the arms 21, 21a.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that upon depression of any key lever 5 the arms 21,

21a are moved forwardly and, upon release of the key lever, are moved rearwardly responsive to return of the levers I6 and 22 to their normal positions. Thus, if either of the arms 21, 21a is held in a lowered position and the other of said arms is permitted to remain in an upper position, it is apparent that reciprocations of the first mentioned arm will not affect the related gear 34 and its drum 35, but that reciprocations of the other of said arms will result in step by step rotations of the related gear wheel 34 and its drum 35 in a direction to efiect windingof the inking ribbon 60 onto said drum.

On the shafts 35b, 35?: are two-arm levers 36, 36a, respectively, which are operatively connected to said shafts by suitable pawl and ratchet or equivalent mechanisms, designated as 62, so that rotation of either of said shafts 35b in aninking ribbon winding-on direction requires the related lever 36 to rotate therewith, and so that either shaft 35b may rotate in an opposite or inking ribbon unwinding direction even though its related lever 36 may be held against rotation in a corresponding. direction.

Apair of stop pawls 39, 39a are provided for cooperation with the levers 36, 36a, respectively,

,to predetermine normal or starting positions of i said levers 36, 36a. Each stop pawl 39 is biased by a spring 40 to a position against a stop 4| in which the pawl serves as a stop engageable by a pin 38 on one of the arms of the related lever 36 to prevent rotation of said lever when the related shaft is rotated in an inking ribbon unwinding direction. Thus, whenever either shaft 351) is rotated in an inking ribbon unwinding direction, the related lever 36 assumes a predetermined starting position against its related pawl 39, as illustrated by dot and dash lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings, from which position it is advanced when, subsequently, inking tape winding-on rotation is imparted to the related shaft 35b.

During inking ribbon winding-on rotation of 7 either shaft 35b the, related lever 36 of course rotates with said shaft and during such rotation its pin 38 simply passes by the related pawl 39 which yields, as is apparent.

The other arms of the levers 36, 36a carry pins 31, 31a, respectively, for cooperation with gearwheels 42, 42a, respectively, mounted on stub shafts carried by the side plates la, lb, respectively. During rotation of either lever 36 with its shaft 35b in an inking ribbon winding-on direction of rotation of said shaft, the pin 31 engages, once during each complete rotation of the lever 36, with the teeth of the related gear wheel 42 and imparts partial rotation thereto.

Fixed to the gear wheels 42, 42a are pinions 43, 43a, respectively, which mesh with gear Wheels 44, 44a, respectively also mounted on stub shafts carried by the side plates la, lb, respectively. Fixed with respect to the gear wheels 44, 44a are pinions 45, 45a, respectively, which mesh with gear wheels. 46, 46a, respectively, fixed to opposite end portions, respectively, of a crossshaft 41. Thus, between each gear wheel and the shaft 41 there is a reduced speed gear train so that a large number of revolutions of either.

operation with the arms 21, 21a, respectively.

The two-arm levers 49, 490 are disposed at the outer sides of the plates la, lb, respectively, and the pinsor rollers 5|, 5la of said levers extend through slots 52 in said side-plates to positions in overlying relationship to the arms 21, 21a, respectively.

The earns 48, 48a are of semi-circular shape and are disposed diametrically opposite each other. Moreover, the levers 49, 49a are disposed relative to said cams, respectively, and the arms of each lever are disposed relative to each other, so that when either cam 48 is in an upper position, as shown in Fig. 6,'the related lever 49 is permitted to be swung upwardly by its associated elevating means 29, 30 and 3| to a position for cooperation of the pinion 32 of said arm 21 with the related gear wheel 34 responsive to reciprocation of said arm 21; also, so that when either cam 48 is in a lower position, as shown in Fig. 7, the related lever 49 is held in a position holding the related arm 21 depressed for non-cooperatlon of the related pinion 29 with the related gear wheel 34 responsive to reciprocation of said arm 21.

Assuming that one of the cams 48 is disposed in an upper position permitting cooperation of the pinion 32 of the related arm 21 with the related gear wheel 34, and that the other of said earns 48 is disposed in a lower position holding the related arm 21 depressed and therefore preventing cooperation of the pinion 32 of said arm with its related gear wheel 34, the operation of the machine is as follows: Upon depression of any key lever 5, the related hammer 3 or 30 is rocked and, acting through the ribbon 66, pro- 'duces an impression of its character on the paper sheet 6|. At the same time the plate I1 is rocked with the result that the lever arms l8 are swung forwardly; This results in forward swinging movement of the lower portions of the levers 22 and in forward movements of the arms 21, 21a and their pinions 32, 32a, respectively. Forward swinging of the lower end portion of the lever 22 that is related to the lever 25 results, of course, in rearward swinging of the upper end portion of said lever and this, in turn, results, of course, in the lever 25 being swung rearwardly, without effect on the platen, as heretofore stated. Forward movement of the elevated arm 21 results simply in the pinion 32 of said arm idling over the related gear wheel 34, while forward movement of the arm 21, that is held depressed, is entirely idle movement. The depressed key lever 5 then is released, whereupon the springs H and 20 return the hammer 3 or 30 and the levers Hand 22 to their normal or starting positions. Accordingly,

"the lever 25 is swung forwardly advancing the but rearward shifting of the other of said arms 21 results in a 'step of rotation being imparted to the related gear wheel 34, due to the cooperation of the pinion 32 of such arm 21 with said related gear wheel 34. The related inking ribbon drum 35 therefore hasimparted thereto one step of rotation in an inking ribbon winding-on direction, the inking ribbon unwinding from the other drum 35 because the latter drum is free to rotate in an inking ribbon unwinding direction.

The operations are repeated in response to sue,- cessive depressions of the key levers 5 and as a result the inking ribbon 60 is unwound step by step from one of the drums 35 onto the other 01' said drums. For each complete rotation of the;

gear wheel 34 associated with the winding-on drum 35 the related gear wheel 42 isadvanced one step by the pin 31 of the related lever 36, and

as a result of successive steps of rotation being imparted to said related gear wheel 42 the shaft 41 carrying the cams 48, 48a is gradually rotated until finally the positions of the cams 48, 4811 are inking ribbon 60 has become wound on one of the drums 35. Thereupon, the arm 21, that was held depressed, is permitted to rise and the other of said arms is depressed. The result is that subsequent actuations oi the key levers 5 cause the inking ribbon to be unwound from the full drum 35 onto the empty drum 3!. In this connection it is pointed out that the reduced speed gear trains between the gear wheels 34 and the shaft 41 are such in relationship to the length of the inking tapetfl, that the cams 48, 48a are reversed at times when the inking ribbon becomes substantially completely unwound from one oi the drums 35 and substantially completely wound upon the other of said drums. Accordingly, as a result of operation or the machinetthe inking ribbon alternately is wound onto the respective drums It will be noted respecting the hammers 30, that their arms 3b are disposed below the arms 31) of the hammers 3. the arms 3b of the hammers 3c are design for cooperation with the lower portion of the ribbon 60, while the arms 31) of the hammers 3 are designed for cooperation with the upper portion of said ribbon. The upper and lower portions of the ribbon 60 may be of diiierent colors, black or blue and red, respectively, for example. Thus, the hammers 3 may produce characters of one color and the hammers 30 may produce characters oi a different color. Usually,the-hammers 3c are iew in number and carry punctuation marks.

Without further description it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be clearly understood. It is desired to point out, however, that while only a single structural embodiment of the invention. has been illustrated and described, the invention is readily capable of embodiment in specifically diiierent mechanical structures within its spirit and scope as deflned'in the appended claims.

I claim:

, 1. In a stenographic machine having an inking ribbon, a pair of drums on which the ends of said inking ribbon are wound, a pair of gear wheels one fixed to each drum, a pair of pinions one related to each gear wheel, means whereby said pinions are reciprocated, means permitting rotation of each pinion in one direction and holding it against rotation in the opposite direction so that reciprocation of either pinion eiiects rotation of its related gear wheel and drum in only a single direction, a pair of rotatable cams one related to each pinion, a reduced speed train of gearing between each gear wheel and both of said cams, and means between each cam and its related pinion eiiective to hold the related pinion in an inoperative position relative to its related gear wheel when the cam is in one position and to permit the related pinion to assume an operative position relative to its related gear wheel when the cam is in another position, said cams being disposed diametrically opposite each other so that said pinions are rendered alternately operative and inoperative relative to their related gear wheel, thus to cause the inking ribbon alternately to be wound onto the respective drums.

2. In a stenographic machine having an inking ribbon, a pair of drums on which the ends of said inking ribbon are wound, a pair of gear wheels one fixed to each drum, a pair of pinions one related to each gear wheel, a pair of pivoted arms each carrying one of said pinions and each connected for reciprocation, thereby to reciprocate said pinions relative to their related gear wheels, means permitting rotation of each pinion in one direction and holding it against rotation in the opposite direction so that reciprocation of either pinion effects rotation of its related gear wheel and drum in only a single direction, means tend-' ing constantly to swing said arms to dispose said pinions operatively relative to their related gear wheels, a pair of rotatable cams of substantially semi-circular shape one related to each arm, a reduced speed train of gearing between each gear wheel and both of said cams, means between each cam and its related arm efieotive to hold the arm in a swung position preventing cooperation of the related pinion with its related gear wheel when the cam is in one position and to permit swinging of said arm to a position in which its pinion may cooperate with its related gear wheel when the cam is in another position, said cams being disposed diametrically opposite each other so that said pinions are rendered alternately operative and, inoperative relative to their related gear wheels, thus to cause the inkingv ribbon to be wound alternately onto the respective drums.

3. A stenographic machine as set forth in claim 2, in which the means between each cam and its related pinion carrying arm comprises a twoarm lever, one arm of which cooperates with the cam and the other with said pinion carrying arm.

4. A stenographic machine as set forth in claim 1, in which the reduced speed train of gearing between each gear wheel and the.cams includes a pair of members one related to each gear wheel and through which motion is transmitted from each gear wheel to said cams, and means mounting said members for rotation with said gear wheels inone direction and permitting rotation of said gear wheels in the opposite direction relative to said members.

vIo'roR CHARLES DOLD. 

